A terrorist attack at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan has reportedly left 18 people dead and several wounded.

Taliban gunmen entered the hotel’s restaurant through a kitchen at around 9pm local time on Saturday evening and began shooting as guests were enjoying their dinner. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42766623

The hotel is a landmark in the country’s capital city and has come under attack by terrorists before. Guests were seen trying to flee the building using bed sheets to climb down from a top floor balcony whilst Afghan special forces worked with Western special forces to bring the siege to an end.

The Afghan interior ministry is now investigating how the attackers breached security, which was apparently given to a private company just a fortnight ago.

“This latest attack once again calls into question how we can further improve security in hotels in ‘at risk’ areas,” outlines Paul Weldon, managing director at The Panic Room Company.

“The implementation of safe areas is just one way in which hotels could increase and enhance security levels. Safe areas can easily be introduced on selected floors using sectional safe walling to isolate specific areas and provide a safe and secure place for guests and staff to sit out a terrorist attack.”

Adds Paul: “Planning and installing sectional safe walling can be completed very quickly and efficiently with little disruption to the hotel. It is proven to be highly effective in protecting large numbers of people and offers the ultimate peace of mind for both guests and hotel owners.

“Safe areas are accessed via a secure door, at the end of a hotel corridor for example, that would remain open at all times. In the event of a terror attack, just like a fire drill, guests and staff would make their way to the secure safe area and the door would be closed manually.”

Concludes Paul: “Safe areas are a sound investment for any hotel group – they really can help to save lives.”